PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS

Transcription

1 PKWS August 2014 Issue Editor: Carol Mathis PRESIDENTIAL PONDERINGS The summer has flown past and here we are in August. For those that missed it, we had a great meeting in July at the Fetzer s home. During the July meeting, I mentioned that Jeff Reiter was going to have a KOI 101 class coming up. I am excited to announce that the first of these meetings will be on August 9 th at Leo and Carol s home starting at 3 PM. Please let me know if you want to be part of this education and question session. Jeff will be going over the basics of koi and koi keeping. I would recommend it for anyone who is new to the hobby or for someone who wants a refresher in Koi. I am excited to attend the class to learn from Jeff. He is a wealth of knowledge. I still need someone to help with next year s pond tour. If you are interested, please let me know. Also, I have not received any pictures of the 2014 Pond Tour. If you have any, please send them to me so I can use them on the web site and in the Koi USA article. I hope everyone can join us at Leo and Carol s pond this Saturday. I actually do not do them justice when I say pond. They have two ponds. They are two entirely different types of ponds with their own unique filter systems. This is a good opportunity to see two different ways to run a pond. The meeting will start at 5:30, just after the KOI 101 class. Have a great rest of your summer,

2 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 2 PKWS 2014 OFFICERS President: Brannon Raines VP: Terry McClain Secretary: Mary Ann Penix Treasurer: Cecelia Smith APPOINTED OFFICES: Membership: Cecelia Pritchett Property Manager: Leo Bollinger Newsletter: Carol Mathis Webmaster: Brannon Raines August SOCIAL Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. Carol Mathis & Leo Bollinger 1284 Biltmore Drive Concord, NC DIRECTIONS: : From Albemarle Road, turn onto Lower Rocky River Ch Road. Go 5 miles and turn left onto Biltmore Drive. Third house on right in bend of road. From Rocky River Road, turn onto Lower Rocky River Road. Go 1.5 miles and turn right onto Biltmore Drive. Third house on right in bend of road. DON T FORGET, JEFF REITER IS HOLDING A KOI 101 SESSION STARTING AT 3:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY BE- FORE THE SOCIAL.

3 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 3 August Leo and Carol NEW 2014 SOCIAL CALENDAR September Don and Mary Ann Penix October Larry and Phyllis Rosen November Jon and Kathy Rankin December Wayne and Cecelia Koi fish Facts Koi fish is domesticated version of common carp. This fish is most famous by its beautiful colors that have been created via selective breeding. There are over 20 different varieties of koi fish that differ in color, patterns and type of scales. Koi fish originates from Eastern Asia. This fish lives in fresh waters. Thanks to its beauty and increased popularity in the past century, koi fish can be found in the ponds throughout the world. Since koi fish is numerous and kept in private aquacultures, it is not on the list of endangered species. Interesting Koi fish Facts:.Koi fish is a large fish. It can reach up to 3 feet in length. Size of the fish depends on the living conditions. Adequate amount of food and oxygen and appropriate temperature are essential for the growth of fish..color of the koi fish depends on the variety. They can be white, black, blue, red, cream and yellow in color. Koi fish are covered with different spots..people in Japan believe that koi fish symbolizes wealth, prosperity, love, successful career and good fortune. Each variety is associated with one of those values..koi fish and goldfish have the same ancestor. Although they share similarities in appearance, koi fish can be recognized by barbels on the upper lip..koi fish is an omnivore (consumes both plants and animals). It eats different kind of fish and their eggs, lettuce, watermelon and peas..koi fish can recognize the person which feeds them and they can be trained to eat from his/her hand..koi fish have several predators, such as raccoons, otters, badgers, birds of prey, snakes, cats and dogs..koi fish prefers water temperature that ranges from 15 to 25 degrees of Celsius. It doesn't tolerate drastic or rapid changes in temperature..koi fish that live in temperate geographic areas hibernate during the winter. It swims to the bottom of the pond (with higher temperature of water) and remains dormant until the weather conditions improve.

4 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 4.Koi fish are sensitive to the sun. They may get sunburns if they live in the ponds that do not provide enough shadow..koi fish release ammonia in the water. When large number of koi fish inhabit same pond, level of ammonia can increase rapidly and induce poisoning of fish..although life in community can be dangerous, koi fish enjoy company of other koi fish..during the mating season, female produces thousands of eggs that will be fertilized by male's sperm in the water. Only 50% of fertilized eggs will survive..koi fish can mate with goldfish because they are closely related. However, they produce sterile offspring..koi fish usually lives between 25 and 30 years. When it is kept under good conditions, koi fish can survive for more than 100 years. PIEDMONT KOI and WATERGARDEN SOCIETY PKWGS 2014 July YTD Beginning Balance $13, $ 12, Income Membership Dues Existing Members $ Membership Dues New Members $ $ Fish Food Repayment $ $ Replacement Name Tags (2) $ $ Sodium Thiosulfate Sold $ $ Pond Tour Sponsorships $ 1, Pond Tour Ticket Sales $ Total Income $ $ 2, Expenses Pond Tour Web Site Hosting $ Name Tags Purchased $ $ AKCA Annual Dues $ Sodium Thiosulfate Purchase $ $ AKCA Premium Liability Insurance $ Pond Tour Printing $ Pond Tour Supplies $ Pond Tour Advertising $ Total Expenses $ $ 1, Ending Balance $13, $ 13,961.07

5 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 5 PIEDMONT KOI AND WATERGARDEN SOCIETY Minutes of July 12, 2014 The July meeting of the PKWS met at the home of Carl and Lauri Fetzer. There were 30 people present. President Raines called the meeting to order at 6:55P.M. We had 7 new members present. Old Business: We sold 105 tickets for our pond tour. Approximately 150 people toured some of the ponds. We made a profit of $ Ballantine Magazine is doing an article on ponds with pictures. The Charlotte Observer wants to do an article on Koi rescue. There will be an article in Koi USA about our recent pond tour. We need a co-chairman for our 2015 pond tour. See Brannon if you would like to volunteer. We will sync maps and directions next year. We will not do tickets for food. Brochures will be at each pond next year and we will sell tickets at each pond. The non-member ponds on tour are now members! If you have pictures of the tour, send them to Brannon. The August meeting will be at Leo s and Carol. A pond 101 will start before the regular meeting for all interested parties. Jeff Reiter will lead this discussion. New Business: In 2016 we have an opportunity to host the AKCA annual meeting. (wet lab, etc.) Cabarrus Regional Visitor Assoc. will help. The club bought 55 pounds of Sodium Thisulfate (de-chlor). It is for sale in 5 pound bags for $5.00/bag. You only need a pinch to dechlorinate your pond. Mary Martha Weiner discussed revisions on the web site, such as getting rid of the header and revising the purpose of our club. She will send revisions to Carol to publish in the newsletter for feedback. Send any pond pictures you have to Brannon to publish on our web site. Myles Weiner has a pond liner to give away to anyone interested. Dana had concerns her pond was not clear. Advice from the club was just to watch it and let it do its own thing since it is a new pond. Motion to give Leo Bollinger the club s air pump by Terry McClain. Seconded by Dana. Motion passed. Motion to adjourn by Leo Bollinger. Seconded by Carl Fetzer. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:15P.M. Respectfully submitted, Mary Ann Penix, Secretary

6 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 6 The following is submitted by Mary Martha weiner for your consideration: Dear Club Members, I have suggestions for redoing a few things on the Charlotte Koi Club website. Please take a look and determine whether you like my suggestions or not. If you have other ideas, please bring them to the next meeting or me at mmmweiner@gmail.com. Thanks! Mary Martha Weiner 1.) First, at the top of the homepage, I suggest getting rid of the statement "To promote, create, etc..." entirely. Just have the photo of the koi by itself at the top. The gist of that text is repeated in the Purpose section, so the top statement is not necessary. 2.) I m not crazy about the wording of the Purpose section. Please read the original as it is now on the website and then read my suggested revision. The original is in bold typeface. My revision follows. Purpose The mission and purpose of the Piedmont Koi and Watergarden Society is to create, promote and enlarge the hobby of keeping, breeding, appreciating and exhibiting goldfish, koi, and water gardens. We strive to engage in educational activities related to the hobby. Purpose: The mission of the Piedmont Koi and Watergarden Society is to promote appreciation for the hobby of keeping, breeding, and exhibiting koi. How to maintain healthy ponds and water gardens is an additional focus. The club s social and educational activities generate friendships and a reliable, supportive network.

7 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 7 3.) There are some minor changes I m suggesting for this Club Information section. As above, the original wording on the website is in bold typeface. My suggested revision follows. Club Information Meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month. The meetings are primarily held at club member houses in Charlotte and the surrounding counties. We welcome anyone with a passion or an interest in the koi or water gardenhobby. We conduct field trips throughout the year to different koi breeders as well as member ponds. The club has been known to put on a koi show, a pondtour, and a koi sale during the year. Members and non-members are welcome to attend any event. Club Information: Meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month. The meetings are primarily held at club members homes in Charlotte and the surrounding counties. We welcome anyone with an interest in the koi or water garden hobby. We conduct field trips throughout the year to different koi breeders and members ponds. Through the years, the club has been known to put on koi shows, organize pond tours, and hold koi sales. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend any event.

8 PKWS August 2014 Issue Page 8 PKWS M E M B E R S H I P F O R M The Piedmont Koi and Watergarden Society (PKWS) is a not for profit organization. The membership year runs from January 1st through December 31st. Annual Membership Dues for a family for the first year is $55.00 AND INCLUDES UP TO TWO (2) NAME BADGES. Additional nametags may be purchased at a cost of $15.00 each. For renewing members the dues are $24.00 Please complete the following form and return it with your membership dues to: Cecelia Smith, Caroline Acres Rd, Ft Mill, SC Please print clearly (this information will only be used for club records). Please print your names) as you would like them to appear on your name tag(s). You can also find an electronic copy of this form on our website. Name(Last): (First) Address: City: State: Zip: Signature: Date: Address: Telephone # Membership Dues: (New member) $55.00 or (Renewal) $24.00(Circle One) Additional Name tags ($15.00) TOTAL ENCLOSED: Visit us on the web at